NBI seizes counterfeit software in Makati, Pasig

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) ended its successful campaign against piracy for 2006 with the confiscation of some P6.5-million worth of computers and counterfeit software in simultaneous raids in Makati and Pasig recently, it was learned yesterday.

Agents of the bureau’s Intellectual Property Rights Division (IPRD) seized 24 desktop computers and a laptop containing with counterfeit software in the raids last Dec. 21.

NBI-IPRD chief Jose Justo Yap said the computers were seized from the offices of CME Technology Philippines in Legaspi Village, Makati City.

Yap said they also confiscated counterfeit software from Krebs Engineers Pacific/Krebs International in Ortigas Center, Pasig City.

The NBI official said the raids stemmed from a complaint filed by Autodesk, Inc., through its company counsel Bengzon Negre Untalan Intellectual Property Attorneys, with the NBI against the two companies.

NBI agents then secured search warrants from Judge Felixberto Olalia Jr. of Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 8 before the raids were carried out.

Charges of violation of Republic Act 8293 or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines are being readied against the owners of the raided companies, Yap said.

Efforts to reach officials of the two companies for comment were unsuccessful.